The recent decision to vastly increase parking charges for staff and postgraduate students parking at the John Bull Building and Derriford Research Facility is unfair and unjustified. 

Monthly parking charges based on a full-time permit will increase from £12.50 (grade dependent) to £67.50 per month from 1 August 2024.  This is a 440% increase in parking charges, and we have been given less than one month to decide whether to apply for a new parking permit and agree to these terms. Furthermore, the cost of a full-time permit will increase again to £85 per month as of 1 August 2025 which will results in a 580% increase in parking costs. 

This increase will disproportionately affect those who rely on their vehicles to commute to work and have a negative impact on staff and student morale during already challenging times. This will undoubtedly contribute to staff/student recruitment and retention going forward. 

Some of the main concerns voiced by staff and students are as followed: 

• Cost of living crisis.
• No consultation period or attempt to assess the impact this would have on permit holders was made.
• Annual inflation does not equate to a 440% then 580% increase, this decision is especially difficult for lower salaried employees.
• Businesses in the surrounding area, including DDEF and Marjon, either providing free parking or substantially less than the UoP proposed amount.
• City centre parking is generally more expensive than the suburbs therefore a comparison should not be drawn between main campus and JBB/DRF.
• Car sharing is impossible for some staff due to the nature of their role. Many staff are required to be on site outside of core hours at certain times of the year.
• Public transport options are very limited to JBB/DRF, buses are infrequent, unreliable, and often full, in stark contrast to main campus, which is a focal point in the city centre, situated 5 minutes from the train station and surrounded by multiple bus routes.
• Flexible working between sites or working from home will become extremely difficult and staff productivity will be impacted.
• Part-time permits cannot be made flexible over different days, which discourages green travel such as walking or cycling on days with good weather forecasts, and driving on days when weather conditions are wet or dangerous.
• Work/life balance – contracted hours will be affected by a longer commute and individuals being forced to sacrifice an unaffordable portion of salary to pay for parking.
• Childcare issues / school runs – public transport or car share is not a viable option for those with children.
• Protected characteristics – Individuals who have physical disabilities resulting in an inability to walk long distances, cycle or use public transport. 

PhD/Research specific concerns

• Lack of consultation and justification for the proposed rises.
• A complete lack of provision for postgraduate students who cannot work remotely as they need to be in research labs. Many of whom made the decision to live in rural parts of Devon and Cornwall based on the ability to park at their place of work. Some of these people will have 4-hour daily commutes when their permits are revoked.
• There is no provision for parking in the event of an emergency, such as emergencies relating to research animals or in response to a -80 freezer alarm.

Please note this is not an exhaustive list of concerns and other issues have been raised based on individual circumstances. 

We urge the University to reconsider this decision and implement a more equitable solution that supports our hardworking staff and students.

Please sign this petition to show your support for reversing the decision to increase parking costs by such a large increment.